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New glasses

Do you wear glasses? I love the big nerdy glasses look, but I lost my beloved pair a few months ago. I wanted to buy a new inexpensive pair online, but, to be honest, I dragged my feet because I worried that if I couldn't try them on, they wouldn't look good on me. But then a reader, MacKenna, sent this photo of her wearing Lookmatic glasses. How adorable is she?!

Inspired, I chose a cute pair, tried them on virtually, and voila. My awesome new glasses were $95, prescription included. I'm psyched by how well (and quickly) it worked out. I'd highly recommend it!(Top photo by MacKenna; photos by our photographer/babysitter Sophie:) Glasses are the Woody, my shirt is Madewell and gray jeans are Emerson Fry.)

anonymous, i didn't have them altered. i'm 5'6" and a quarter! :) they are a great length on me -- i can wear them with flats, sneakers or low heels, and sometimes i roll them once at the bottom just to be hip, haha.

I have been meaning to do this but I lost my prescription card. It's just a matter of me going to my eye Dr. and wrangling my prescription free. They insist they have the best prices available... ya right :)

they look cute, but it would be nice to see them with you facing the camera instead of looking down. curious, are these glasses courtesy of spex club? aka is this a sponsored post? I've noticed you don't disclose sponsored posts all the times, although it's not required by the FTC for bloggers. It seems a bit fishy how many times certain items/companies are the sole topics of many of your posts (pinhole press, for example)

And do you link madewell and emerson because you make money if somebody clicks the links and make purchases through an affiliate site, such as rewardstyle or amazon? because it makes me want to clear my cookies every time I visit your page (or not visit it at all)

Is there a reason why you don't have a disclosure about affiliate programs, linking items that you receive a commission off of, or mentioning when you've received an item courtesy of, to review and keep? I'd be curious to know what a "big time" blogger like you feels about the ethics of selling and making money off of readers, and not telling them, up front, about it.

I LOVE them! They look so great on you! I'm in the market for a new pair...I've got some semi-nerdy black frames, but I'm looking for bigger, browner, rounder full-on nerdy specs. They're the best! Xo, Katie

They look awesome on you. Good pick! The virtual try ons are great. I was thinking of getting some Warby Parkers. They send you up to 7 or 8 glasses to try on so you can actually wear them. For every 1 pair of glasses purchased, they donate a pair for people in need. Cool huh?

thanks for these sweet comments! i got the woody, but they're sold out now -- i'll email them to see if they're getting any back in stock. i also love the wayfarer glasses, such a flattering and classic style.

Those are cute!! I'm looking to get a similar pair, but I get mine from the zenni optical website. Pretty similar to spex, but MUCH cheaper! I've been putting off ordering, too... Maybe I'll get around to it tonight seeing how cute yours are!

catherine, thanks for your note! this is not a sponsored post. i'd love to do a post coming up, though, about the business model of my blog, explaining how i (and other bloggers) work very hard on both the editorial and business sides of our blogs to make it feasible. especially because i work most evenings now to make it possible to have my blog as a job:) thanks for the idea. xoxo

I ordered some spexclub glasses last week...pretty excited to get them and see how they look in person! yours are very cute.

re: blogging and sponsored posts, I'm looking forward to your post about your business model. i absolutely don't mind affiliate links/sponsored posts/etc, but i do like to know when they're being used.

You should check out Warby Parker for frames. Their company is set up like Toms shoes where every pair of glasses purchased donates to their cause. They travel the world giving children in 3rd world countries eye exams and outfitting them with a pair of glasses. They are only $95 a pair - slightly more than Spex club, but certainly worth it considering the charity involved. www.warbyparker.com

They are so cute! And I can't believe how CHEAP they were! I wear glasses and I absolutely LOVE my big nerdy ones, but I don't think I ever would have had the guts to buy them online without trying them on. Though this idea of virtually trying them on is pretty appealing...

Hola Joanna,This is the first time that I drop you a note. I just wanted to tell you that I follow your blog from Madrid (Spain), I like it a lot....P.s. No comments about the glasses, i do not wear them!

joanna, i just saw your sweet response to caroline, and i'd love it if you did a post about the business side of your blog...i love the creative side of blogging but have no idea about how to turn a blog into a job or if doing so is feasible for me...but learning more would be really, really awesome :) just wanted to let you know...

Joanna you look SO good! I have been spotting these large nerdy glasses everywhere and am tempted to get one too but... am slightly averse to following fads! Even though, I would have gotten some, fad or no fad! :)

I love your new glasses! The funny thing I noticed about getting big "nerdy" glasses is that not only is the plastic chunky frame way more comfortable, but I can see better! Trying on an old smaller pair made me feel like all I could see was the frames. And the nerdy ones are so hip! The ultimate accessory these days. The only thing that bothers me now is the extra sunny days, though few and far btwn here in SF. Do you have prescription sunglasses too?

I think they are super cute on you! Great price. Glasses have gotten very expensive these days.

re: sponsored posts: I have to admit I have wondered that too about your blog. You link to many products and I figured they had to be affiliate links sometimes. I too like to know when a link is an affiliate or when it's a sponsored post. Your biz model post will be very enlightening. You certainly have managed to market your lifestyle/image very well and I'm sure many readers are falling over themselves to buy the products you wear and/or suggest. You're like the Oprah of the blogosphere!

Wow, Toby is all Alex! Have you compared photos of you and Alex at Toby's age? My mom and my brother looked like the same child when they were each around 3 or 4. Kind of spooky. But then he grew up to look a lot like my dad.

i bought some glasses from spex club after seeing them on your site a few months ago. i was so surprised that the prescription was perfect, and the glasses have a better fit than any others i've tried. thanks for the recommendation!

I love these glasses! I saw someone beat me to suggesting Warby Parker, but they're great because you can try 5 pairs for 5 days for free! I really have to try glasses on because they have to be perrrrfect. I love both sites!

Also, I highly appreciate you linking everything you post about. I know you don't do sponsored posts because you've mentioned it a few times, and I think it's really admirable that you link the said brand/shop/etc regardless. I love to be able to just click and have what I'm looking for right in front of me :). You're also very good with giving credit for pictures and things which is something a lot of bloggers need to learn.

I buy my glasses from Zenni Optical, where you can find glasses (prescription included) anywhere form $6-45. Such cheap glasses sound a little sketchy, but I've loved every pair!! And when you're spending $10 on glasses, you don't have to worry so much that they won't look good, because they weren't very expensive.

i have been needing a new pair of perscription for far too long! i just might make the plunge and do a virtual try on! i feel like the stores never have what i want! and you look so hot in your new pair! toby looks like a little man, he is so cuuuute!

I alternate between four pairs of glasses and two pairs of rx sunglasses, and not one pair cost over $30 total (with lenses). I use Goggles4u.com (they're alright, not lot of selection), Zennioptical.com (love them), and coastal.com (like them on Facebook and get a pair free, just pay shipping and coatings). My newest pair, that I LOVE:

I think it's a great site, but I just ordered glasses from there and unfortunately I have to send them back. A word of warning: If you have a high prescription (i.e. need thick lenses like me) try the thin lens option (which is more expensive.) Mine came in the mail last week and I had to laugh at how thick the lenses were. They looked like coke bottle glasses! They were true nerd glasses (but not in a good way.)

I have some Warby Parker home-try-ons in the mail to me as I type! I definitely need a new pair of glasses... mine are about 4 years old and all scratched up! not to mention the prescription is a bit old... but I may have to go check out Spex Club now :) you're looking super cute in your glasses! (as is MacKenna!)

Oh my, those look fabulous on you! Then again, I tend to think that you look terrific in everything (seriously!). I've been So curious about SpexClub and am in desperate need of new glasses, but I still don't trust the virtual try-on. I wish they would offer free pairs to try-on at home.

hope I'm not posting twice.. I just had to say how adorable Toby is and how much he looks like Alex! Also, I just got new glasses and love them! They're Paul Smith, and they're the best new accessory! (kind of hipster+nerdy chic) :)

you look fantastic in your glasses...and btw, it looks like you're carrying a mini-Alex here! Toby is his dad! but then sometimes he looks JUST like you. Isn't that so funny how that happens in different photos?

Jo - I think you look so like Wonder Woman before she did her twirls and turned into actual wonder woman - hot hot hot glasses!

Your blog is just so so lovely - really enjoy reading it from rainy old Dublin - will deffo be using your NYC recs on my next visit - they're amazeballs and am so excited to see the city from a non-tourist point of view.

Also your little boy is the cutest little cherub in your pictures - he reminds me of my 25 year old bro when he was that small - so squishy!

Omg, I love glasses! I must have 10 different pairs by now. My intention is to cycle between them, coordinating them with my outfits, but of course I'm lazy, so I really only cycle between 2 or 3 that go with everything.AND!I love your outfit, Joanna. The glasses, the button-up...and that necklace! Lovely :D

Those look great on you! I have (or had, they were stolen - silly to steal someone's prescription glasses) a pair of prescription sunglasses from SpexClub that I loved. They are a really easy company to deal with - returns and all. I also have two pairs from Warby Paker. I love them because of their home try-on feature. In addition to these (yes, I have a lot of glasses) I have a couple of pairs from Coastal Contacts - they do a lot of free glasses giveaways.

I started having problems wearing contacts about a year ago (probably a side affect from having to stare at a computer all day for my job) and I was really thankful there are now a lot of online companies providing alternatives to expensive frames found in most doctors' offices.

Thank you for sharing this with other people so they may have the opportunity to save money on something so many of us need.

Love the big/nerdy glasses- you both look great! I've gone back to glasses full-time (from contacts) in the last year because of all the great, inexpensive frames that are offered now. Can't say enough good things about Warby Parker. I'm hoping to get my third pair from them for Christmas...

I too am looking forward to a post on the business behind the blog. Blogging is my main outlet living as expat in Europe and I'd love to learn more about how to develop it. Thanks Joanna!

Hi Joanna,I have been following your blog for over a year now and I would also be really interested in a post about the business side of it. I recently (very recently) started a blog of my own and am curious to learn all I can about the world of blogging.

P.S. Your glasses are adorable! I've been thinking about getting some online for a while now, but had the same doubts that you did. I think you may have inspired me to try it out :)

Thank you for this fabulous recommendation! I have been wanting a pair of the wayfarer style frames, but hesitated to invest in a trend that might have a short life. What an easy way to do it. Love your Blog!

Did you look at Warby Parker's glasses at all? They have tons of cute nerdy frames and they're all only $99 for the frames and lenses. They also let you try on five pairs at home for free, with no shipping fees to receive them or send them back. And I think they give away a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair you buy. Something to remember for next time! :) Love the tortoiseshell!

Those glasses are fabulous on you! I have a jean question though: I know this is above and beyond - but I have the hardest time with her pants sizing. Do you wear J Brand or other standard jeans to compare sizes with. I'm always a 28 in their jeans - but according to website I think I'd be way off in hers. How did you find sizing? Any advise please.

jennifer, good question! i wear a 27 or 28 in jeans, too, and i wear a 28 in emersonmade. they fit really, really well on me. so i think they're pretty true to size. (the only time i wear a 27 is if it's a brand that often runs big, like Gap)

I got my big nerdy NASA engineer glasses at CoastalContacts.com - if you like them on facebook, you can be informed of when their next sale is. What they do is give you the glasses with the standard type of lens (extra for super thin, or whatever coatings) and all you have to pay is shipping. So I paid $15 dollars for them. It's a great deal!

I've been loving the colour of your lipstick :) it's exactly the colour i've been looking for, with no success. Could you help me? :)Thanks!I've been following your blog for some time and find it always intereting and amusing. Keep the great work!Juliana (Portugal)

i've been eyeing (bad pun! :) the jesse in tortoise for a while now -- they were out of stock and they're back, so this would be so perfect! new baby on the way in a few weeks and feel like i'll be living in my glasses!

heLLo! i've been internet searching for MONTHS and i do not exaggerate when i say MONTHS for a pair of eyeglasses! so happy to have stumbled upon your words and photos....hopefully i will find just the right pair for me! thanks much!!

The glasses look good on you. I can't say who is looking more good- glasses or your eyes? I just need to know where you got those. Is this through online or any other store?Well I am little hesitating to buy through online.If you can share anything about this then please comment back, I wait for your comment.

I recently read another of your articles and loved it. So I kept looking. Those prescription glasses look great! I have been thinking about getting some but am worried that they won't fit right. Maybe I will reconsider.